Ride Analysis Project
List of Rides
Top Gun
Grizzly
Logger's Run
Invertigo
Vortex
Demon
Delirium
Survivor
Psycho Mouse
Orbit
Centrifuge
Suggested Concepts
Momentum
Energies
Inertia
Forces
Momentum
Free-fall
Assignment
Your group will study one of the rides at Great America in depth, either as selected by you or assigned by your teacher. In your report, you will explore at least four (4) areas on the ride. For each, you will explain the physics concepts that are at work, how they apply, and present visual and/or mathematical evidence to support your analysis.
Think in the following terms:
- When you take the ride, you feel a variety of forces at different points
- What direction and how large are those forces?
- Why do you feel those specific forces at those places?
Presentation Alternatives
- Powerpoint
- Video
- Newsletter
- Essay
- Other as approved by teacher
Some Suggestions
- Obtain ride dimensions, data, etc.
- Take your own measurements of the ride dimensions, etc.
- Produce a ride profile and note where the rider is at various times from the start.
- Obtain force data on the ride either electronically or using hand-held instruments
- Take video to incorporate into your presentation
- Take still photographs to incorporate into your presentation
Due Date __________
Point Value __________
Posted May 2006